Makadi Bay: Horse Riding in Desert & Sea w Guide + Transfers

The best part of this Makadi Bay outing is the contrast: one minute you are crossing open golden sand, and the next you are riding with the Red Sea sparkling nearby. The two-hour ride gives you time to settle into the saddle, enjoy the quiet, and, if your ability allows, possibly ride faster along the desert or shore.

I like the desert-to-sea setting, which gives this trip more variety than a short ride around a stable. I also like the attention from guides such as Didi and Anita, who have been praised for helping beginners while giving confident riders room to enjoy the horse.

The main thing to consider is horse welfare and safety. Most feedback is highly positive, but one serious complaint raised concerns about horses waiting in the sun, helmets being supplied only when requested, and inexperienced riders being asked to gallop too soon. Ask for a helmet and make your riding level clear before setting off.

Key points to know before you ride

• Two hours in the saddle: The full activity lasts three hours, with about two hours devoted to riding in Makadi Bay.
• Desert and Red Sea views: You get changing scenery, from wide golden sand to the sparkling coast.
• Guides Didi and Anita: These guides have been praised for calm support, clear care, and making riders feel secure.
• Suitable for mixed ability levels: Beginners can receive close help, while experienced riders may be allowed to gallop when conditions and skill make it suitable.
• Pickup from Hurghada: Meet the driver at your hotel reception and look for the Gamila Horse signboard.
• Bring your own meal plan: Water and a welcome drink are included, but food is not.

A desert ride with the Red Sea beside you

Horse riding in Egypt can mean many things. Some outings stay close to a stable or follow a short route through dry ground. This one has a stronger sense of place because Makadi Bay gives you two very different backdrops in a single ride.

The desert is broad and quiet. Golden sand stretches around you, with scattered desert plants and references to old ruins in the setting. Then the Red Sea adds color and movement to the view. The sea breeze breaks up the dry heat, and the sound of hooves gives the ride its steady rhythm.

I like this mix because it keeps a three-hour outing from feeling repetitive. You are not simply circling an arena. You are moving through a part of Egypt where the dry interior meets the coast, with the horse carrying you at a pace that lets you notice the silence.

The experience is guided in English. That matters most if you are new to riding or nervous about handling an unfamiliar horse. Your horse may be gentle and steady, or more spirited and energetic, so the guide’s instructions are an important part of the outing rather than a small extra.

Leaving Hurghada for Makadi Bay

The activity begins with pickup in Hurghada. You wait at your hotel reception, then look for a driver holding a sign with the name Gamila Horse. Pickup is included, which makes the outing easier if you are staying in Hurghada and do not want to arrange separate transport to Makadi Bay.

The total duration is three hours. The riding portion is listed as two hours, leaving roughly an hour for transport, arrival, preparation, and returning to Hurghada. Exact pickup and starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule before booking.

The transfer is a practical part of the package, not just a convenience. Horse riding requires a little planning, and having the operator handle the journey means you can focus on clothing, sun protection, and arriving ready to ride.

One useful detail from the strongest experiences is that the transfer was punctual and uncomplicated. Still, keep your phone available and wait at reception as instructed. The signboard should help you identify the right driver.

Meeting your horse and guide

At Makadi Bay, you receive a welcome and meet your guide before riding. The horse is not presented as a generic part of the equipment. Each animal has its own personality, and the guide helps match your expectations to the horse beneath you.

That personal introduction can make a real difference. If you have never ridden before, the first few minutes may feel awkward. You are learning how to sit, hold the reins, and respond to the horse while also taking in a new setting. A calm guide can make the difference between feeling tense and enjoying the ride.

Didi received especially warm praise for being kind and attentive. Anita was also praised for checking that everything felt right and giving riders a sense of security. One account described guides taking the reins when needed and asking often if everything was comfortable.

You should tell the guide honestly how much riding you have done. A confident rider may want a more active pace, while a beginner needs time to find balance and understand the horse. The right pace is not a matter of pride. It is what keeps both you and the horse comfortable.

Two hours across sand, shore, and open space

Once the ride begins, the first impression is likely to be the sound of hooves on sand. The pace gives you a chance to look around rather than rush from one photo stop to another. The desert feels spacious, with low vegetation, bright sun, and wide views.

The Red Sea changes the mood. Its sparkle on the horizon gives the dry setting a peaceful counterpoint, and the breeze can make the ride feel cooler than the desert alone. Riding near the coast also creates better photo variety, especially if you want images that show both the horse and the setting.

Some riders have been able to gallop in the desert and along the beach. That is a major attraction for anyone with solid riding experience, but it should not be treated as an automatic part of every booking. Your pace depends on your ability, the horse, the guide, and the conditions on the day.

If you are a beginner, the value is not in forcing a gallop. A steady ride lets you enjoy the scenery and build confidence without turning the outing into a test. The guide support described by several riders suggests that beginners can be looked after carefully, but you should still speak up if you feel unsure.

For experienced riders, ask early about what pace is possible. Do not assume that a booking described as suitable for all levels means everyone will gallop. A good guide should know the difference between giving an experienced rider freedom and pushing a new rider beyond their limits.

What the ride feels like for beginners

This experience can work well for a first horseback ride because the guides are expected to provide close support. One particularly useful account described a parent with no riding experience being challenged without being overwhelmed. That is the balance you want.

The horses have also been praised as friendly, well behaved, and in good condition. Those qualities matter more than a dramatic description of the ride. A calm horse gives you room to learn, look around, and enjoy the setting.

Still, riding ability varies from person to person. You may find that the horse responds more readily to the guide’s voice than to your own early on. That can be reassuring, but it also means you should listen carefully and follow directions rather than trying to control the horse through force.

Ask for a helmet before mounting. Safety gear is included, but one complaint said helmets were provided only after being requested. That is not something you should have to wonder about. Make the request clearly at the start, and do not accept a faster pace until you feel secure.

The published information gives a 100 kilogram weight limit. If your weight is close to that figure, confirm the limit when booking and again at pickup. This is a basic welfare and safety question, not an awkward detail to avoid.

What experienced riders can expect

The outing is not only for first timers. Riders with more experience have been able to gallop through the desert and beside the sea, which adds a real sense of freedom to the ride.

The open setting is the main advantage for confident riders. You have more room than you would in a small enclosed riding area, and the movement between desert and shore keeps the route interesting. The wind, sand, and open view make the faster sections feel more memorable.

Even so, your guide controls the final pace. Horses are living animals, and the route may include changing ground or other practical limits. Ask what is planned before the ride begins, and be direct about your experience. The best outcome is a pace that feels exciting without becoming careless.

The experience also offers photos and videos. Guides have been praised for making high-quality videos during the ride, a nice extra if you want more than a quick phone snapshot. You should still keep your expectations sensible: the core product is the ride, not a professional photography session.

Horse care and safety deserve attention

This is the area where I would stay alert. Most of the available feedback is strongly positive, with the overall score listed as 4.7 from 72 reviews. Praise centers on calm, cared-for horses, helpful guides, smooth pickup, and the chance to ride at different speeds.

One one-star account raised serious concerns. The rider said horses were saddled and waiting in direct sun without water, helmets were not offered unless requested, the guide did not speak English, and beginners were taken into a gallop quickly. The same account questioned whether the stated weight limit was being applied.

That experience conflicts with the more favorable accounts, which describe well-kept horses, patient care, English-speaking guidance, and a safe feeling. I cannot resolve that difference for you in advance, so use it as a reason to check conditions when you arrive.

Look for water available to the horses, ask for your helmet, and make sure the guide understands your riding level. If you are new to riding, say clearly that you want a calm introduction. If the pace feels unsafe, speak up immediately.

This does not mean you should dismiss the outing. It means you should treat animal care and basic safety as part of the decision. A good horse ride depends on both the scenery and the way the animals are handled.

The $35 price and what it covers

At $35 per person, this is a fairly good-value way to add a horseback experience to a Hurghada stay. The price covers the horse ride, an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, safety gear, water, and a welcome drink.

The value comes from the combination. You are not paying only for time on a horse. Transport from Hurghada removes a separate cost and removes the hassle of finding Makadi Bay on your own. The two-hour riding period is also substantial enough to feel like a proper outing rather than a quick photo opportunity.

Food is not included. For a three-hour activity, that is usually manageable, but do not expect a meal at the riding center. Eat beforehand if you need more than the supplied drink and water.

There is also a flexible booking policy. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms are useful if your Hurghada schedule may change, though you should still check availability for the time you want.

Who will enjoy this Makadi Bay ride

I would recommend it most strongly to three kinds of people.

First, it suits beginners who want a guided introduction rather than an independent ride. The support described by several riders, including help with the reins and frequent checks, can make the first experience less intimidating.

Second, it suits experienced riders who want desert and sea scenery with the possibility of a gallop. Tell the guide your level so the pace can be discussed honestly.

Third, it suits couples, families, and friends who want a short activity away from the hotel pool. The setting gives you something different to talk about afterward, and the ride has enough length to feel worthwhile.

I would be more cautious if you are uncomfortable around horses, concerned about animal welfare, or unwilling to ask for safety equipment. I would also confirm the weight limit before paying if it may apply to you.

Practical preparation for the three-hour outing

Wear clothing that allows you to sit comfortably in the saddle. Closed footwear is a sensible choice, though the supplied information does not specify a required type of shoe.

The desert sun can be strong, so bring protection for your skin and eyes. A sea breeze may feel pleasant, but it does not remove the need to prepare for bright conditions.

Bring only what you can manage safely while riding. You will want your phone for photos, but handling loose items on horseback can be awkward. Ask the guide about taking pictures and videos rather than trying to manage everything yourself.

Arrive at hotel reception in time for pickup and watch for the Gamila Horse sign. At the riding center, confirm the helmet, tell the guide your experience level, and ask about the planned pace.

Should you book Gamila Horseriding?

Book this experience if you want a guided ride with genuine scenery, hotel pickup, and a choice of gentle riding or faster movement when appropriate. The desert and Red Sea combination is the main reason to choose it, while the reports about Didi and Anita suggest that the right guide can make the outing especially comfortable.

I would not book it blindly if safety and horse care are your top concerns. Ask for a helmet, check that the horses have water, and be clear that beginners should not gallop until they are ready. If the setup looks careless or the guide cannot communicate with you, you are entitled to reconsider.

For $35, the package offers solid value, especially because it includes transport and two hours of riding. Go in with realistic expectations, speak up about your ability, and you have a good chance of getting a memorable look at Makadi Bay from the saddle.

FAQ

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts three hours. About two hours are spent horse riding in Makadi Bay.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is included from Hurghada. Wait at your hotel reception and look for a driver holding a signboard with the name Gamila Horse.

What language does the guide speak?

The live tour guide language is English.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the horseback riding experience, tour guide, welcome drink, water, safety gear, and pickup.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included in the activity.

Can beginners join the ride?

The experience is described as suitable for different riding levels. Several accounts describe beginners receiving close support, but you should tell the guide your ability before the ride and ask for a calm pace.

Can experienced riders gallop?

Some riders have been able to gallop in the desert and along the beach. The pace is not guaranteed and should depend on your riding ability, the horse, the guide, and the conditions.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.